This passable low-budget science fiction oddity stars John Agar as the leader of a scientific mission to Uranus (not mentioned in the movie’s title in order to avoid the inevitable chuckles), where the crew fall under the control of a powerful psychic force apparently emanating from the planet itself. The entity in question is able to tap into the astronauts’ minds, giving physical form to both their greatest desires and most terrifying nightmares. This intelligent sci-fi premise is nearly identical to Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 art-house epic Solaris, which took three hours to tell nearly the same story. As if that weren’t enough déjà vu, the story is set in the year 2001, calling to mind a certain space odyssey which changed the face of science fiction cinema a mere seven years later. Though a far less significant entry in the annals of movie history, Journey to the Seventh Planet is at least uncluttered by the intellectual posturing which predominates the latter two films. ~ Rottentomatoes.

Arcata Theatre Lounge

Attention: Now seeking strange and weird short films under 5 minutes to be screened at the Arcata Theatre Lounge during Science Fiction Pint & Pizza Night and other ATL movie screenings. For more info please email info@arcatatheatre.com.